The Next Ten: Beginnings Series Books 11 - 20

by Jacqueline Druga

  “At all?” Jenny asked.

  “Not at all. It’s one big hole,” Frank said.

  “Huge,” Dean continued.

  “Was anyone in there when it happened?”

  Both Frank and Dean responded, “I was.”

  “He was,” Frank pointed.

  “Him too.” Dean pointed to Frank. “Good thing we felt it coming. We were able to get out when the ground shook.”

  “Fuckin earthquakes,” Frank griped.

  Jenny gasped. “We had an earthquake?”

  “Yes,” Frank said. “It was a big one too.”

  Dean groaned and covered his eyes.

  “You know.” Jenny tilted her head. “Come to think of it, I did feel something this morning.”

  Dean’s eyes closed.

  Frank continued, “We were lucky that it was concentrated down here.”

  “Yes,” Jenny sighed out. “Well, I’ll let you go.” She handed the teddy bear to Frank. “Could you give this to her, if you can?”

  “Oh, sure.” Frank took the bear. “I’ll swing across the hole.” He winked.

  “Good.” Jenny started to leave. “Caroline will like that. Oh . . . Is Danny going to fix it?”

  “Fix what?” Frank asked.

  “The hole from the earthquake.”

  “No.” Frank shook his head. “We haven’t told Danny. We don’t want to scare him. He has a fear of earthquakes. He’s from California. He could start a panic around here.”

  Understanding, Jenny nodded. “We wouldn’t want that. Well, then let me know when it’s fixed.”

  “Will do.” Frank gave a thumbs up.

  Jenny walked to the door, opened it, and started out.

  Dean opened his eyes. “Earthquake.”

  “Dean, it was the only . . .”

  “Frank?” Jenny popped her head back in.

  “Yeah.” Frank smiled.

  “Since you are the expert, you don’t think this earthquake has anything to do with the meteor that’s coming, do you?”

  Frank took a deep dramatic breath. “I don’t know. It very well could.”

  Jenny gave a look of sadness and concern and then walked out.

  Frank, pleased, clapped his hands together once. “See, problem solved.”

  Dean only glanced at Frank. Earthquake. Meteor. Problem solved? He knew better because they were in Beginnings.

  ^^^^

  There had to be a sense of disbelief, Jess figured. There had to be. But Jimmy, as he would call him from that moment on, just nodded.

  “You understand?”

  “Um, yes. Beginnings. Initial start up land. Fifty people. Frozen scientist. Hadley. Got it. And my Dad runs Beginnings.”

  “Your dad is the president, in a sense, of every province. In fact, Beginnings just acquired a new town. Some town in Texas immigrated up north.”

  “Where do the defectors come in?”

  “Depends on which ones.”

  “Which ones?” Jimmy asked.

  “Well, yeah. I was part of twenty-seven that defected a while back. Sgt. Doyle brought fifteen hundred.”

  Jimmy snapped his fingers. “That’s the defector movement. I was under the impression Doyle joined a small band of rebels and caused the entire thing.”

  “Nope. Hadley started it awhile back. Doyle just joined the cause. Actually Beginnings did a lot of defending until Hal showed up.”

  “Wait. Hal wasn’t in Beginnings from the beginning?”

  “Nope. He, like you, didn’t know that your family was alive.”

  “That’s because my father forgot to leave a note.”

  “Oh he did.”

  “No, he didn’t. I went to Gaithersburg. No note.”

  “Robbie took it.”

  “What!” Jimmy blasted. “Robbie took the note. What the fuck?”

  “He took it as a souvenir and, just as a point of reference, you aren’t allowed to bitch. As your dad told Hal, it’s over, it’s done, you’re here now.”

  In shock, Jimmy sat back. “Okay. Okay, Hal joined up and then what?”

  “He began the actual cause. Hal was with the Society briefly and defected, bringing a ton of men with him. They started the Freedom Fight, therefore their union became the name of our union, United Western Alliance.”

  “So Hal has his own army.”

  “Yep.”

  “Hal has an army. I’m surprised they aren’t a new cavalry.”

  Jess just looked.

  ‘They are?”

  Jess nodded. “Oh, yeah and we can’t forget the defectors Frank got.”

  “How did my brother get defectors?”

  “You will love this,” Jess said. “The Society shot him.”

  “Oh yeah, I’m loving it already.”

  “Six times.”

  “Hmm. Even better.” Jimmy rolled his eyes.

  “Frank was still alive. They took him, but Frank was bad and in a coma. When he woke up, instead of being a prisoner, he faked amnesia.”

  “Oh my God and Hadley bought it.”

  “Yeah.” Jess nodded. “Hadley thought he had Frank, hook line and sinker. Frank even trained the men only to have them all defect at one time.”

  “How did I not know all this? How do any of us Society grunts know nothing?”

  “They keep it from you. If you found out half the shit the Society does, you would leave.”

  “But, Jess, the Society is only trying to rebuild America.”

  “No, Beginnings is trying to rebuild America. Home of the free. George creates microchip enhanced soldiers to die, killer babies, and turns all women of birthing age into zombie baby factories.”

  Slowly Jimmy stood up.

  “If you don’t believe me, ask Hal.”

  “I believe you.” Jimmy shook his head. “So the Society trained you to be a spy and go to Beginnings.”

  “Yes, only I agreed to be a spy for the Society just to get out of the Society. I wanted to live in Beginnings. Jimmy, Beginnings is great.”

  “So I’m taking it my father found out and in order for you to be in good graces, you agreed to come back and be a spy for Beginnings.”

  “You got it.”

  “Here’s where I’m confused,” Jimmy said. “You knew the Slagel name. You knew I was Jimmy Slagel.”

  “Not until I got down here. I thought your last name was James.”

  “Okay, so you found out. Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

  “I had to be sure you were a Slagel,” Jess explained, “and I thought you weren’t.”

  “How can that be?”

  “Yeah, you look like your family but you projected this really cool guy, tough like your brothers. That’s where I got confused.”

  “How? You just said I was like my brothers.”

  “Exactly, but to the best of my knowledge, from the way they talked about you, you were . . . the nerd of the family.”

  “Fuckin assholes. Man. Wait until I kill them. Speaking of killing them, let me grab some stuff and you and I are out of here.” Jimmy headed toward the door.

  “We can’t do that.” Jess stopped him. “If we book, take off, we’ll be running all the way across the country. George will hunt us down.”

  “But I have to go home.”

  “And I want to get back to Beginnings,” Jess told him. “But in order for us to do that.” He lifted an eyebrow. “You and I . . .have to die first.”

  ^^^^

  First of all, Robbie couldn’t figure out why Ellen insisted on bringing so much stuff. For sure they could count on less fuel consumption on the way home since the load would be lighter. But the six cases, as Ellen said, were for the future benefit of Lodi as a whole, not just the Johnny situation. What the exact contents of those cases were, Robbie really didn’t know.

  “In here.” Lars directed Robbie as he led him down the hall to his lab.

  Robbie paused. “Kind of reminds me of the Dean set up.”

  The squeal of Lars’s shoes rang o
ut when he halted. “Please do not say that.”

  “Okay,” Robbie shrugged. “Where do you want some of these cases?”

  “What’s in them?”

  “Haven’t a clue. El knows. I know they all don’t have to do with my nephew.”

  “Just set them down. Would you like for me to go get the others?”

  “Nah, I’ll make another trip,” Robbie said. “Usually I would have carried them, but I’m on light duty, duty I will obey because I don’t want to take a chance losing the arm.”

  “Excuse me?”

  “It’s new.” Robbie lifted his sleeve. “The stitches are still fresh. See?”

  “Yes, very Frankenstein like.” Lars looked at it. “Perhaps while you’re here, you’ll let me examine that, out of curiosity, of course.”

  “Sure.”

  “Do you have medical knowledge?”

  “Of what?”

  “Medicine. Science.”

  Robbie snickered. “No.”

  “So your reasons for being here are strictly transportation.”

  “And protection,” Robbie said. “I’m watching out for Ellen. That’s why I’m here. I may hang out with you, but I really won’t scope the town too much. Not that I don’t want to . . .”

  “You don’t want to run into your nephew.”

  “Exactly.”

  “Cold, bitter, and a reasonable state of mind,” Lars stated. “But you’re here. That says a lot, whether you want it to or not.”

  “Not really, aside from the fact I am one of four pilots in Beginnings, I am the only one who flies planes. And . . . my father said.”

  “Your father said?”

  “Yep.” Robbie nodded. “My father runs Beginnings and its provinces. He would not authorize a plane or Ellen’s departure unless one of his sons went as an assurance of her protection.”

  “He set rules? Kind of totalitarian, don’t you think?”

  “It’s Slagel-ism or no ism.” Robbie snickered.

  “Were you the only one who volunteered?” Lars asked,

  “Yes.”

  “Back to my original point. You are here. That says something.”

  “Yeah, you don’t like to lose an argument.”

  “Never.” Lars crinkled his face. “I plan on getting into many with Dr. Hayes the male.”

  Robbie laughed. “Join the club.”

  “I think I might like Beginnings. Anyhow . . . you were speaking of Ellen’s protection. Her protection will not be a problem here,” Lars explained. “This will probably be in vain, but I’d like to extend an invitation to you and Dr. Hayes to stay at my home.”

  “Sure. Why would that be in vain?”

  “I think the Chief of Lodi may insist she stay at his house so he can protect her. It’s going to be an interesting situation. I can feel it coming. He’s going to zoom in on her. Hawk her. You’d be welcome there as well, but Johnny lives there.”

  “If Johnny lives there, then El won’t because I won’t. I stay where El stays.”

  “Yes, the machismo. I understand but I can assure you, Dr. Hayes will be well watched if not overly watched at Mike’s house. You, my new friend, may even be hard put to request she leave his house.”

  “Doubtful.” Robbie laughed.

  “Do you have a heart?”

  “I like to think so.”

  “Then you won’t ask.”

  Robbie tilted his head in confusion. “I don’t understand.”

  “Sit down and let me explain.” Lars led him to a chair then he did explain.

  ^^^^

  The clank of the ceramic mugs . . . again, made Mike shake his head at himself . . . again. It was a task finding two clean mugs not touched by cupboard dust but he also had to find two mugs not too big and without chips.

  After finding them, he placed them on the kitchen counter and called out. “You did want coffee, right Dr. Hayes?”

  “Yes, thanks,” Ellen returned a reply from the dining room. “Please call me Ellen, Chief Manis.”

  “Ellen,” Mike whispered. “Ellen.” He poured the coffee, spilling some on the counter. “Fuck.” Shaking his head once more, he prepared the coffees and brought them to the dining room. “You can call me Mike.” He walked in and set the mug down before Ellen.

  “Mike.” She smiled. “Thanks.

  “You’re welcome. Shit.” Mike started to sit but stopped.

  “What?”

  “I fixed your coffee. I put cream in.”

  “It’s fine. Just cream is the way I drink it. Sit down. You’re a rather large guy and I’ll hurt myself looking up at you.”

  “Sorry.”

  “That’s Okay. Sit.”

  “Yes. Sit.” Mike reached back for the chair, but his extended hand hit it and sent the chair flying back. “Fuck. Shit. I’m sorry.”

  “For.”

  “The chair.” Mike picked it up, fixed it, and sat down. “And swearing.”

  “That’s fine. Are you Ok?”

  “Yes. No. Damn it,” Mike grunted. “I’m a mess.”

  “Am I causing it?”

  “Yes. I mean, no. Yes and no.”

  Ellen chuckled. “What?”

  “Maybe later I’ll explain it. Tomorrow. Whatever. Not now. I‘d sound like an idiot. Just know, you make me nervous.”

  “Okay, I can deal with that. Is it because I’m a woman?”

  “Yes. In part.”

  “I don’t bite.”

  “That’s a good thing.”

  Ellen smiled. “All right. Obviously you wanted us alone.”

  “Not for what you think.” Mike defended.

  “I’m not thinking anything.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Quit apologizing.”

  “Sorry.”

  “Mike.”

  Mike cringed.

  Ellen giggled. “You remind me of someone I know. Hal, Johnny’s uncle.”

  “His uncle.” Mike nodded. “Would this be the one he framed, set traps for and tried to kill, or would this be the one he blew up?”

  “The first one. The one he blew up is with Lars.”

  “Oh my God. His uncle is here.”

  Ellen nodded. “Only he’s not so enthusiastic to see Johnny.”

  “That’s it.” Mike pointed.

  “What’s it?”

  “That’s why I asked Johnny to give us a few minutes.”

  “You asked Johnny to give us a few minutes because of Robbie?”

  “No, you.”

  Ellen shook her head. “I’m lost.”

  “Seeing him,” Mike explained. “Dr. Hayes, I mean Ellen, Johnny was pretty open with me about all he did in Beginnings. I truly believe when he came here he didn’t remember everything. He remembered some, but not all. I also believe that the kid upstairs is basically a good kid. What he did, I know this is gonna sound bad, but what he did to you people couldn’t have been him. The tumor had to have caused it.”

  “If Lars’s tests prove to be correct, then I know this.”

  “I took Johnny into my house, my family, and I took him into my heart,” Mike spoke seriously. “I just want to know why you’re here. I hope that doesn’t sound callous.”

  “I’m here for two reasons, Mike. One, to help him. Two, because I’ve known Johnny since he was a baby. He cannot be anymore my son than if I gave birth to him. I love him and never stopped loving him, no matter what he did. I may not have liked him, but I always loved him. That won’t stop. I’m here as a doctor and as a mother. Is that an acceptable answer?”

  “Yes.”

  “I won’t be mean to him. I will be good with him. I can’t guarantee Robbie will be the same way.”

  “The uncle.”

  “Yes.” Ellen nodded.

  “I understand. So I guess me extending an invitation to stay in my home would be out of the question.”

  Ellen hesitated before answering. Why Mike had this look of wanting her to stay, she didn’t know. Perhaps it had a lot to do with his prot
ective nature over Johnny. “I’ll tell you what. Find a place for Robbie to stay and convince him I’m fine in your care, then I’ll be happy to stay here.”

  “Fine in my care?” Mike chuckled. “Ellen, it’s gonna be pretty hard put to let you out of my sight when you’re here.”

  “Just like Hal.” Ellen partially smiled. “So protective over women.”

  “Woman. You’re it here in Lodi.”

  A little shocked, Ellen glanced curiously at Mike. Her attention quickly turned to the sound of the door opening.

  “Dad!” Tigger called out. “I’m back. Fuckin’ Lincoln wouldn’t move his fuckin ass. I would have been home hours ago.”

  Mike winced as he stood. “My son.” He spoke to Ellen, “Excuse me.”

  Tigger continued. “First he fuckin . . .”

  “Tig.” Mike flew into the entrance hall. “Shh.”

  “Why? Who’s sleeping?” Tigger walked to the living room.

  Mike blocked him. “We have company.”

  “Okay.”

  “A woman.”

  Tigger looked up. “What?”

  “From Beginnings.”

  Tigger let out a peep of a shriek. “No shit? Yes, they came to help!”

  “Yeah.” Mike nodded, and again blocked Tigger’s attempted to get to the dining room. “Tig, it’s Johnny’s mom.”

  “Oh shit.” Even more excited Tigger grew. “I want to meet her.”

  “Wait.” Mike stopped him. “Before you do, you have to be prepared. Johnny’s mom is a spitting image for your . . .”

  The word ‘mom’ whispered out as Ellen walked into the living room.

  Another stock wince came from Mike. “Ellen, this is my son.”

  Ellen smiled. “Mike he looks exactly like you.”

  Tigger replied, “In a short way. And you look exactly like . . .”

  “This is Dr. Hayes.” Mike interrupted.

  “I thought Dr. Hayes was a man.” Tigger said.

  “This is his ex-wife.” Mike explained.

  “So she’s available.” Tigger smiled.

  “What the fuck?” Mike cringed. “I’m sorry. Tigger, this is Ellen. Ellen this is Tigger.”

  Tigger extended his hand, “How do you do? You can call me Anthony. That’s my birth name.”

  Mike pulled the shaking hands apart. “You can call him Tigger. Go get washed up. We’re gonna have lunch.”

  “Lunch?” Tigger asked with a snicker. “We never have lunch.”